princetongre

Actually neither! I decided to go to UMD (which offered me aid on April 15!). The hastle of reapplying again - just that thought was a huge detterrent. And since I want to teach at liberal arts colleges in the US as opposed to the big research ones, I though UMD was going to prepare me just fine. So...although I recommended you go to UCL...I chose a US PHD!!!!;) Its a very personal choice. And as you say...that you want to teach in Italy...and that you don''t want to study forever....UT Austin might serve you just fine.

HI! I understand where you are coming from because I also had the same dillemma - except in my case I was deciding between UT, Austin PhD and an MA at the University of Toronto. I would say that UT Austin program is definitely competetive and good. As a top 20-25 US program...it is selective and will train you well. But again as you say, going to UCL will give you a shot at a top 10. And I think, personally, it definitely worth the risk going to UCL and reapplying next year. Although UT Austin is good...a top 10 program has its own unbeatable aura. And since a PhD is something you do once...and it clings on to you forever...I think going to UCL would be a step worth the risk. And it is very unlikely that UT similar US schools will not take you next year if they have this year. I hope this helps.

Hi All, With some deep contemplation and a lot of advice from everybody at TM, I have decided to go to Toronto for my MA. A lot of you suggested that I defer my admission from UTexas, Austin (PhD) so that I have a fallback after Toronto (in the case that I do not get accepted anywhere else for PhD next year). Now, how does such deferment work? Does my aid package also get defered? Most importantly, is it fair that I ask Austin to defer by telling them that I am going to do an MA? I would love to hear your views. You all have been really helpful til now. Thanks!

Thanks! Academic placement of a Austin vs. a top 10 is so drastically different. I think it is worth taking the risk and going to Toronto in the hopes of making it into a top Phd program thereafter. Particularly becasue I got into a top 10 this year (without aid) so i feel I can get in with aid if I put some effort in my MA year at Toronto. In addition, I thought the greatest weakness of my application this year was that my undergrad education was from a not-so-prestigious liberal arts college. That will hopefully be rectified with an MA from Toronto. What do you all think? You all have provided great help! THanks:)

You are right in that it is really a subjective question. I am an international student but got my BA (math, econ) from a domestic (US) not-so-prestigious liberal arts college. Anybody familiar with the UToronto program? How is it ranked? Where do MA graduates from Toronto usually go for their PhD's - in Toronto itself or somewhere else? Like gstergia, if I go to Toronto, I will be hoping to get into a top 10 for my Phd. Thank a bunch fellas. TM rocks!

I sent you a PM. I received an email in the morning today. Good Luck to you!

Dear Esteemed Members, Your thoughts would be invaluable! Is there a distinction between Bachelors vs. Masters degree holders when applying for Econ Phd. Is one preferred to the other? I have been admitted to UT, Austin with TA for PhD. But I also got UToronto MA (doctoral stream) admission with aid. Do you think its worth going to Toronto so that I may apply again and shoot for a higher ranked Univ to do my PhD? This year, although I got into one top 10 univ, did not get aid. Austin is the best ranked that offered be aid. Thank you all!!!

Dear Esteemed Members, Your thoughts would be invaluable! Is there a distinction between Bachelors vs. Masters degree holders when applying for Econ Phd. Is one preferred to the other? I have been admitted to UT, Austin with TA for PhD. But I also got UToronto MA (doctoral stream) admission with aid. Do you think its worth going to Toronto so that I may apply again and shoot for a higher ranked Univ to do my PhD? This year, although I got into one top 10 univ, did not get aid. Austin is the best ranked that offered be aid. Thank you all!!!